This month, researchers at Missouri S&T who study mining and explosives engineering began using a cannon to test concrete mine seals. Their work could help improve seal design and keep miners safe while on the job. The research involves loading a cannon with projectiles, which they then shoot at the seals to test the resulting… Read more »
In March of this year, major flooding along the Missouri River blew out levees, knocked out bridges and washed out roads and highways, causing significant damage to farms and rural communities throughout Missouri and neighboring states. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the flooding did more than $29 million in damage to roads and… Read more »
The Old Madison Mines in Fredericktown, Missouri, are approaching peak cobalt production for the domestic and international markets, according to Missouri Cobalt. Missouri Cobalt CEO Michael Hollomon says, “We have the largest near-term primary cobalt reserve in North America, and that’s not going anywhere.” Until the 1970s, the Fredericktown mines were a source of lead…. Read more »
Missouri drivers, rejoice—on July 10, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) approved a five-year Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The program includes 1,872 highway and bridge projects planned by state and regional agencies, 1,346 miles of pavement on major routes (plus 2,652 miles on minor routes), 1,014 miles of interstate pavement and 213 bridges. Starting… Read more »
Amid concerns about a global shortage of the minerals needed to produce electric vehicle batteries, electric car manufacturer Tesla is urging the U.S. government invest in nickel and copper mining. Tesla needs stable, long-term access to mined resources including lithium, copper and nickel in order to produce electric vehicle batteries and other parts. The company… Read more »
Humans have been extracting valuable minerals from the Earth since the dawn of civilization. During the Neolithic Age, our early ancestors extracted flint and malachite from deep shafts dug in the soft chalk deposits of prehistoric Europe. In Egypt, humans have been mining copper since about 3000 BCE. Today, mining companies here in Missouri are… Read more »
According to London-based research firm CRU Group, global consumption of cobalt in 2011 was roughly 75,000 tons. In 2018, cobalt consumption exceeded 122,000 tons. This precious metal is used to make everything from jet engines to the lithium-ion batteries in our phones, and as a result cobalt consumption is on pace to rise 8-10 percent… Read more »
The Midwest may be in the grips of an icy polar vortex of historic proportions, but road crews in St. Louis County, Minnesota have a new tool in the fight against winter weather. Earlier this week, the county department of public works announced that they’re preparing to deploy four new trucks that use an innovative… Read more »
Lead mining has been an important part of Missouri’s history for more than three centuries, and this weekend the community of Viburnum will celebrate this rich heritage during the 32nd annual Old Miners’ Days festival. Hosted in conjunction with the Doe Run Company, this three-day festival includes a mining equipment exhibition, musical performances, a parade,… Read more »
A team of researchers from the engineering department at the Missouri University of Science and Technology is conducting a series of tests that could make coal mines safer places to work. The tests will use explosives to test the integrity of the concrete seals that miners build to close underground tunnels. When these seals are… Read more »
